The Relationship Between Earlobe Creases and the Presence, Extent, and Severity of Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis: A Regional Population-Based Autopsy Study.

The association between earlobe crease(s) and coronary artery atherosclerosis has stimulated debate and controversy over the years. Most available published studies have been conducted on living patients. Although these studies offer valuable insight into such associations in patients who exhibit symptoms, no information is available from these studies on the prevalence of earlobe creases among an asymptomatic population.

Fatal coastal drowning incidents: A 10-year review of body recovery times in New Zealand.

Despite drowning being a leading cause of unintentional injury worldwide, gaps in the data still exist. One area where limited data is available to guide lifeguards, police, search and rescue agencies, accident and forensic investigators, ocean scientists, and the coroner, is how far from the last known point (displacement) a missing person is likely to be found, and the time frame for this to occur. This lack of certainty can exacerbate the emotional toll on family, friends, and rescuers.

Liver toxicity from vitamin A.

Hepatic toxicity secondary to hypervitaminosis A is extremely rare. We report the case of a 27-year-old Caucasian female who presented for an investigation of abdominal pain, cholestatic liver function tests, and abnormal computerized tomography findings. She had been prescribed isotretinoin for her acne and had subsequently purchased vitamin A online, which she consumed daily for over 18 months.

Understanding differences in access to water fountains and sugar-sweetened beverages in children׳s environments: a pilot study in high and low deprivation neighbourhoods.

Access to water fountains and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in children׳s environments may impact on child obesity and may vary with neighbourhood deprivation. Our pilot analyses of access to water fountains and SSBs in Wellington, New Zealand revealed that water fountain access was high in school environments and low in recreational environments. There were also differences in water fountain and SSB access points by neighbourhood deprivation.

Stigma and mental health in the Royal Navy: a mixed methods paper.

Background: US research suggests that military personnel suffering from mental health problems are reluctant to seek help because of stigma.

Aims: First, to identify the prevalence of mental health stigma beliefs in a UK military sample. Second, to investigate whether distressed personnel report more stigma than those who are not distressed.

Use of psychological decompression in military operational environments.

This article reviews the use of psychological decompression as applied to troops returning from active service in operational theaters. Definitions of the term are considered and a brief history is given. Current policies and practices are described and the question of mandatory decompression is considered.

A novel histological technique for distinguishing between epithelial cells in forensic casework.

There are a number of forensic cases in which the identification of the epithelial cell type from which DNA originated would provide important probative evidence. This study aimed to develop a technique using histological staining of fixed cells to distinguish between skin, buccal and vaginal epithelium. First, 11 different stains were screened on formalin-fixed, wax-embedded cells from five women.

Transition back into civilian life: a study of personnel leaving the U.K. armed forces via "military prison".

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with poor outcomes for personnel leaving the United Kingdom Armed Forces early.

Method: We studied a population thought to be at high risk of poor outcomes: those leaving the Services early via the United Kingdom Military Corrective Training Centre. Participants were interviewed 1 week before leaving (predischarge) and followed up 6 months later.

Explanations for the increase in mental health problems in UK reserve forces who have served in Iraq.

Background: Deployment to the 2003 Iraq War was associated with ill health in reserve armed forces personnel.

Aims: To investigate reasons for the excess of ill health in reservists.

Method: UK personnel who were deployed to the 2003 Iraq War completed a health survey about experiences on deployment to Iraq.

The meaning of self-perception of health in the UK armed forces.

Objectives: We assessed the characteristics of self-perception of health (SPH) in relation to psychological distress and physical symptoms, and willingness of servicemen to see their Medical Officer (MO) by their SPH rating.

Design: We randomly selected 4,500 servicemen to receive either a full or an abridged screening questionnaire.

Measures: The full questionnaire included 6 items from the short-form 36 and the question on SPH, the General Health Questionnaire-12, the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist and 15 symptoms.

Is the increased reporting of symptomatic ill health in Gulf War veterans related to how one asks the question?

Background: Following the 1991 Gulf War (GW) there was much controversy surrounding service-related health effects. Evidence from the Vietnam experience suggested that self-reported ill health following that conflict might be related to how service during the conflict is framed. The aim of this article is to determine if a GW health effect persisted when the same questions were asked in a "non-GW" context.

Unmet expectations in primary care and the agreement between doctor and patient: a questionnaire study.

Background: Questionnaires completed respectively by doctor and patient may give conflicting views of what actions the doctor took during a consultation in primary care. This disagreement will affect an assessment of whether patient expectations of care were met, and may itself be influenced by fulfillment of expectations.

Objective: To investigate how patient expectations, and patient and doctor reports of doctor's actions in a primary care setting are associated.